If they had thought at all on the matter they would have decided that they did not want any outsider to interfere.

As a matter of fact the street-railway business in Philadelphia was not sufficiently developed at this time to suggest to any one the grand scheme of union which came later.

Yet in connection with this new arrangement between Stener and Cowperwood, it was Strobik who now came forward to Stener with an idea of his own.

All were certain to make money through Cowperwood--he and Stener, especially.

What was amiss, therefore, with himself and Stener and with Cowperwood as their--or rather Stener's secret representative, since Strobik did not dare to appear in the matter--buying now sufficient street-railway shares in some one line to control it, and then, if he, Strobik, could, by efforts of his own, get the city council to set aside certain streets for its extension, why, there you were--they would own it.